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Dowloadable help

Newly Diagnosed with Barrett's?

Most people haven't heard of Barrett's before they're diagnosed but it's nothing to be frightened of.

Your stomach is lined with cells to protect against the strong acid it contains but your oesophagus isn't. You will have refluxed some of that acid into your oesophagus (which you may have felt as heartburn) and your body has responded to protect you by placing a similar lining there. It is a permanent addition to help protect you.

Unfortunately there is a very slight chance it could mutate towards cancer. Although it most probably won't happen, you may be required to take special acid suppressant medication which may reduce the risk of that happening and undergo surveillance endoscopy every few years to check no such changes have started. If changes are ever seen, you will be offered treatment to minimise the risk of cancer developing.

A copy of this leaflet is available to download below.

Also downloadable below some black & white A4 information sheets adapted for us by Barrett's Wessex: